To make improvement in image quality according to a multi-viewpoint image in multi-viewpoint image encoding.
A motion/parallax prediction and compensation unit 42 performs parallax prediction using a correlation between images different in viewpoint. A quantization control unit 45 determines a protection region in which image quality is protected based on a result of the parallax prediction and reduces quantization step size in the protection region. For example, the quantization control unit determines a 3D object and a boundary thereof as the protection region by using at least either one of a parallax vector detected by the parallax prediction and error when parallax compensation is performed using the parallax vector. When an encoding block is in the 3D object or the boundary thereof, image quality in the 3D object or the boundary thereof can be protected by reducing the quantization step size, thereby improving subjective image quality of the multi-viewpoint image.
SUZUKI TERUHIKO
KITAMURA TAKUYA
| JP2001285895A | 2001-10-12 | |||
| JPH07240944A | 1995-09-12 |
Eiji Yamada
Eiji Sasaki
Toshio Sawada
Daido Patent Office